'Stevie was a striker's dream!'

A 'striker's dream' and a player capable of passes 'from out of this world' form the central midfield partnership in Daniel Sturridge's ultimate XI.

Former Liverpool and England teammate Steven Gerrard was an automatic selection for the Reds No.15 when asked to choose a line-up of stars he has played with and against during his career.

“Stevie has got to go in there obviously,” said Sturridge.

“I had the pleasure of playing with him for a few seasons. He was a striker’s dream – someone who could pick a pass out from 40-50 yards onto your toe and you didn’t even have to break stride.”

Joining Gerrard at the heart of Sturridge’s adventurous line-up is Andrea Pirlo, the Italian midfielder whose calm, canny use of possession proved so influential for his country, AC Milan and Juventus at his finest.

“We played against him in the World Cup towards the end of his career… I can only imagine what he was like in his prime,” said the 28-year-old.

“Some of the passes, I’m dead serious, were out of this world.

“I look at midfielders and think ‘What could they do for me as a player? If I was playing with them, why would I enjoy playing with this person?’ Some of the passes were a joke and I think I’d probably score a lot of goals if I was playing with him.”